Swan Creek 31 dam
Swan Creek 31
Swan Creek 31, located in Dewitt, Nebraska, is a vital flood risk reduction structure managed by the local government and designed by USDA NRCS. This earth dam, completed in 1997, stands at a height of 33 feet and has a structural height of 39 feet, serving the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the TR-Swan Creek. With a storage capacity of 1,641 acre-feet and a drainage area of 4.4 square miles, Swan Creek 31 plays a crucial role in managing water flow and minimizing the risk of flooding in the surrounding Saline County area.
Managed by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Swan Creek 31 is classified as a significant hazard potential dam with a satisfactory condition assessment as of May 2020. The dam undergoes regular inspections every three years to ensure its structural integrity and effectiveness in flood risk reduction. The surrounding community, including residents and officials, rely on Swan Creek 31 as a key infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
As part of the flood risk reduction measures, Swan Creek 31 has a spillway type and width that facilitate the controlled release of water during periods of high discharge. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, it continues to be a critical asset in the area's water management infrastructure. With a focus on safety and effective risk management, Swan Creek 31 remains a cornerstone in protecting the community and environment from the impacts of extreme weather events and water-related hazards.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Swan Creek 31 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey Creek Near De Witt | 105 cfs | → |
| Big Blue River Near Crete | 162 cfs | → |
| Little Blue River Near Fairbury | 213 cfs | → |
| West Fork Big Blue River Nr Dorchester | 71 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek At Roca | 5 cfs | → |
| Little Blue R At Hollenberg | 298 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swan Creek 31.
Boat launches
- Swanton
- 9b - Leisure Lake
- 12a - Recreation Area
- Clatonia Public Use Area
- Willard L. Meyer Rec. Area
- Swan Creek Wma
Track Swan Creek 31 in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Swan Creek 31
Where does the data for Swan Creek 31 come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Swan Creek 31.